You may often hear how important it is for U.S. citizens to return to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights so we don’t lose sight of the wise but imperfect aspirations that birthed our nation into being. Equally for Christians, reading and praying with scripture keeps us grounded in the […]
religion
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A call for humility
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:3,5 During this season of Lent, Christians around the world prepare for holy week which begins with Christ’s humble entrance into Jerusalem on Palm […]
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I shared the dream of Dr. King
The Bible records numerous “dreams” that invaded the minds of people. In many of those “dreams” and “visions,” God revealed his plans for his chosen people and leaders. They included visions of the present and the future that affected the lives of the “dreamers” and of those to whom God would vindicate. Of kings and […]
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A sacred journey
“and she gave birth to her firstborn son …” – Luke 2:7 During my tenure as the pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, one of the annual highlights each year was anticipating which newborn baby within the congregation would play the esteemed role of baby Jesus in our annual Christmas pageant. A human baby Jesus in […]
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Getting ready for the real Christmas
God’s salvation plan for fallen mankind was underway. That plan included and involved Zacharias and Elizabeth. Symbolic of God’s creation proclamation of “Let there Be,” plans for a forerunner of the savior were also underway. Many years had elapsed before the time for the savior to enter the salvation scene arrived. Elizabeth was already expecting […]
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The gift of silence
Knowing my own faults and foibles, I try to be tolerant of such things in others-even those who think that Brussels sprouts are actually edible or who don’t like animals! There is one habit I find difficult to understand, though: so many people seem to have an aversion to silence. More than one person has […]
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A season for being grateful, for sharing and for bonding
In this season of early sunsets, chilling winds, snow and ice and freezing temperatures, our holidays offset the bleakness and despair we might otherwise feel with joy, optimism and celebration. Thanksgiving has now come and gone. For Christians this is the season of Advent and preparing for Christmas. Two weeks from now Jews will be […]
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For what do you wait? For what do you hope?
This year Thanksgiving weekend is also the start of Advent, and Advent, the start of a new liturgical year in the Christian calendar. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy new year! Once again, we begin the cycle of the church year that flows from the birth of a child to His self-emptying sacrifice and resurrection, and on to […]
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Amazing grace
This Sunday Christians celebrate “Christ, The King” Sunday, the final Sunday of the liturgical year. Luke 23:33-43 references Christ on the cross between the two thieves, one of whom recognizes the injustice of Christ’s death and asks to be remembered by Christ when he comes into his kingdom. Westminster Presbyterian Church welcomes bagpipers on this […]
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Faith in Place and Faith Coalition work together to help community
My name is Aiden Meyer and I am the senior data and operations manager for Faith in Place, an organization dedicated to cultivating a powerful multifaith movement that works for environmental justice through connection, education and advocacy. We achieve this by partnering with communities of faith from diverse religious traditions across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana […]
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AI and you
Research all you may about the origins of AI. Acknowledge the contributions made to this concept by the many mythologists and mathematicians, philosophers, physicians, psychologists, sociologists and scientists who have made their personal contributions to this explorative and even invasive system of information gathering, developing and implementation upon and within the various realms of human […]
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Of life, purpose and Jane Goodall
Recently I came across a video clip of Dr. Jane Goodall, filmed near the end of her long, beautiful life on this planet. She spoke, of course, about the fact that we cannot separate ourselves from nature but also spoke movingly about each of us having a purpose and how our actions make a difference. […]
